Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Roundabout revives a searing ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller

• By drediman
• April 27, 2019
• No Comments

Tracy Letts and Annette Bening in Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller at the American Airlines Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

This week, Roundabout Theatre Company’s timely revival of Arthur Miller’s 1947 post-war family tragedy All My Sons opened at the American Airlines Theatre. The last time the play was seen on Broadway was a decade ago in the 2008 revival starring the powerful quartet of John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Patrick Wilson, and Katie Holmes. The current cast – which includes such A-listers as Tracy Letts, Annette Bening, and Benjamin Walker – is equally enticing, and successful. Together with veteran stage director Jack O’Brien, they’ve produced one of the very best revivals of the season.

This is my third production of All My Sons (including the 2008 Broadway revival), widely considered the play that put Mr. Miller on the map. With each successive viewing – including the current Roundabout revival – its stature has grown in my mind from being a lesser precursor to later plays such as Death of a Salesman to an important and potent standalone work. In All My Sons, Mr. Miller has crafted a drama that masterfully builds with increasing moral fervency to a shattering climax. Its accomplishments shouldn’t be diminished by comparing it the playwright’s later works.

Luckily, Mr. O’Brien’s production has confirmed my opinion of the play, and then some. The aforementioned previous revival of the play exuded a heightened, blunt intensity that treated Mr. Miller’s drama like a Greek tragedy. Mr. O’Brien – happily back in top form after a few misfires – has refreshingly chosen a naturalistic approach, smartly letting the play speak for itself. As a result, this All My Sons is one that slowly sneaks up on the audience from behind before unleashing its tidal force. The stunning cast is on the same page, their performances at once expanding and focusing as the play unfolds. All in all, I would encourage you not to miss this altogether searing revival of the Arthur Miller classic.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

ALL MY SONS
Broadway, Play
Roundabout Theatre Company at the American Airlines Theatre
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
Through June 23